DILI, 20 July 2026 (TATOLI) – Students from St. António Teulale Basic Education School (ESSA Senior) and St. António Teulale Secondary School (ESSA Senior) in Baucau have returned from Malaysia with 10 medals and the Youth Ambassador Award after an outstanding performance at the Science, Technology, Innovation and Creativity Conference (STICK) 2026.
The Timor-Leste delegation won five gold medals and five silver medals at the international Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) competition, held in Kuala Lumpur from July 15 to 19, marking one of the country’s strongest performances at the annual event.
STICK brings together students, teachers, researchers, and young innovators from across the world to present scientific research and innovation projects while promoting critical thinking, creativity, scientific communication and international collaboration.
The delegation, comprising 10 students and three teachers, returned to Timor-Leste on Monday. After arriving in Dili, the group attended a thanksgiving Mass at Don Bosco Comoro Chapel to mark the achievement.
ESSA Senior Principal Father Adérito Manuel Euclídes Victor da Costa, SDB, said the success reflected months of preparation that began in March.
He said the students qualified for international competition after ESSA Junior won a national science competition in Liquiçá, allowing them to represent Timor-Leste at an event in Cambodia.
In Cambodia, the students won the Grand Award, the Titanium Award and the Silver Award. Their achievements led to their selection as Timor-Leste’s Science Ambassadors and earned them an invitation to compete at STICK 2026 in Malaysia.
“Our success in Cambodia gave us another opportunity to compete in Malaysia. The students have shown that they can compete at the international level,” Father Adérito told TATOLI in Dili on Monday.
Angel Grace Costa de La Rosa, a Grade 10 student at ESSA Senior Baucau, said teamwork and language barriers were among the delegation’s biggest challenges.
“At first, not every team member worked well together, and not everyone was confident communicating in English. But we supported one another, learned together and found ways to overcome every challenge as a team,” she said.
Angel said representing Timor-Leste motivated the delegation throughout the competition.
“We were not only representing our school but also our country. That gave us the determination to do our best. We are also deeply grateful to our parents for their unwavering support, which made it possible for us to participate,” she said.
The results add to a series of recent international achievements by Timorese students and highlight the country’s growing capacity in science, technology and innovation. They also underscore the potential of Timor-Leste’s young people to compete successfully on the global stage through research, creativity and technological innovation.
Before traveling to Malaysia, the students and their teachers completed intensive training at the Central Science and Mathematics Practice Center at Escola 30 de Agosto in Comoro, Dili, on July 13.
The preparation focused on strengthening research projects designed to address community and national challenges. Students also received guidance on scientific presentations, public speaking and incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into practical, real-world solutions.
The programme was designed to enhance participants’ knowledge while strengthening their skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), including creativity, innovation and critical thinking.
The delegation departed for Kuala Lumpur on July 15 to compete alongside students, researchers and innovators from several countries.
The Timor-Leste National Commission for UNESCO (CN-UNESCO) congratulated the students and teachers, expressing support for their participation and achievements.
Journalist: Cidalia Fátima
Editór: Armandina Moniz
Translation: Filomeno Martins
